Member Biography

The preeminent defensive back of his era, Dre Bly finished his career as the only three-time First-Team All-American in ACC history. He becomes the fourth Tar Heel to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.

Twice earning consensus First-Team All-America honors, Bly led North Carolina to three consecutive bowl wins, including victories in 1997 and 1998 Gator Bowls and the 1998 Las Vegas Bowl. A three-time All-ACC selection and finalist for the 1997 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, he set the conference record with 20 career and 11 single-season interceptions, and both marks still stand as school records. The 1996 ACC Rookie of the Year, he helped the Tar Heels to an impressive 28-8 record during his time in Chapel Hill, leading them to a No. 10 ranking in 1996 and a No. 6 ranking in 1997. One of only two North Carolina freshmen to ever earn All-ACC honors, Bly finished his career with 102 tackles, 27 pass breakups and 20 interceptions.

Drafted in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams, Bly spent 11 years in the professional ranks with the Rams, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers. The All-Pro honoree and two-time Pro Bowl selection helped the Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV during his rookie season.

The co-founder of DLH Sports & Fitness athletic complex, Bly hosts the annual Turkey Bowl Tournament in Virginia and runs a youth football and baseball organization in Charlotte, N.C. The Chesapeake, Va., native was honored as a member of the ACC’s Silver Anniversary Team and as an ACC Football Legend in 2012.